About The End Of Support Date For Windows 7

Anything created or developed has a life span, be it any product. Even software products have a life span, the period during which the maker will provide support to the users of the product. When that particular time-period ends, the support expires. The mainstream support for Windows 7 will end on January 12, 2015. The software giant Microsoft will keep providing extended support for the OS untill January 14, 2020.
Microsoft has provided such support for Windows XP for the past 12 years. For XP the extended support is about to expire after April 8, 2014 and then the technical assistance and support for Windows XP will no longer be available (even the extended support).
In case of Microsoft Windows 7 the mainstream support is available for another year and the extended support for another six years. If we consider the type of support until January 12, 2015, you will be provided the same complete Microsoft tech support that you are enjoying right now. You will receive both security and non-security updates. In case of your warranty claims, until January 12, 2015, these will be considered and possibly honored. Microsoft may even introduce or add new features to the OS and may even change the design.
For the Windows 7 users, the sad part is that in 2015, this version of the Windows Operating System software would then get into the extended Microsoft tech support period, which means only the basics would be covered. You need not worry much as you will still be receiving the free security updates. The only thing is that the non-security-related hot fixes will only be available through a paid subscription. So, you will probably have to start the subscription before April 15, 2015, in case if you are a U.S.A resident. To clarify further, after April 15, 2015, you need to note that there will be no free support and thenceforth the company would not honour warranty claims and will not add any new features.    
For the XP OS, the mainstream support ended on April 14, 2009 and the Windows Vista’s extended support ended on April 12, 2013. So, in case if you are happy with the support you are receiving now for Windows 7, you can stop worrying about it for another six years.

Outlook.com Becomes The Fastest Growing Internet Email Program

It has been one year since Microsoft introduced Outlook.com to us. Even though the earlier stages of the web based email program has been filled with troubles, reports say that it has 400 million active customers. According to Microsoft, the email program is one among the fastest growing services. Microsoft has been able to make these tremendous achievements due to many reasons. The company has been working hard in developing and releasing enhancements for the program and until this date, the software giant has released about 600 features or additions.

According to Dick Craddock, who is the product manager of Outlook.com, the past twelve months have been challenging and exciting. He thanked all those who have helped the email program to be a huge success. Craddick says "Of course, we do a great deal of research and testing throughout our development process. But just as important is the feedback we get once you're using the product," and that “We started by changing how we collect feedback, making it far more prominent in the user interface."

We first saw the preview of the program last summer and within four months, the number of users grew to 25 million. PCMag listed it among the best products of 2012. The new email client had crossed the 60 million mark last February, according to Outlook help center. Microsoft also undertook the tedious task of moving all the existing Hotmail users to Outlook.com. This process was completed by May and the transition was not very smooth.

Numerous users complained that the migration process resulted in lost emails, troubles of signing in to the account etc. However, all these issues were soon fixed. It is interesting to note that the customer feedback for Outlook.com is about 50 times higher than it was for Hotmail, and this is an evidence of the popularity of the program.

After the introduction of Outlook.com, Microsoft stepped up the security features with a 2-step verification process. In addition, the company added features to the program like the drag and drop facility for attachments and contacts. We also saw the introduction of domains like @outlook.jp. The program also enabled users to login with alias.

In the coming months, we might see more people moving to Outlook.com. Microsoft has introduced a tool that makes the transition process from Gmail to Outlook.com easier. For further information on Outlook.com and its features, you may contact the Outlook help center or our technical support team.

Removing The MSN Messenger From Your System

If you are using an older version of the Windows operating system, chances are you would find the MSN messenger application preinstalled in your system. Indeed, you might be using this as your default chat application. However, there are plenty of other chat applications around. Besides, come to think of it, you don’t even need a chat application; just log on to Windows Live support page and start chatting in your browser.

Removing the MSN messenger from your system

This would make the MSN messenger you have in your system redundant. You need to get rid of it to free up the system memory. In most cases, the MSN messenger would be running in the background as it is automatically launched during the system start up. This default option can be easily changed. Better yet, if you are not using the MSN messenger, then uninstall it from the system.
Here is how to do it.

• As with every other application in the Windows OS, the MSN messenger can also be uninstalled from the Add or Remove Programs option in the Control Panel.
• From the Start Menu, go to the Control Panel and click on the Add or Remove Programs option. Here, you would find the MSN messenger among the list of the applications installed in your system.
• Select it and find the Uninstall or the Remove button and click on it. This would the Un-install wizard and you would be asked to confirm the MSN messenger un-installation. Click Yes and this would initiate the un-installation, which would be over in a minute or so.
• Even after the removal of the application, some of its folders and files would still be there in the system hard disk. You need to go to these locations, and check these files are indeed removed.
• First, change the Folder View settings to display the hidden files and folders in the system. Now, go to the C drive and click on the Program Files folder. There you need to look for any folders named MSN. If you find them, delete them. Since you have already uninstalled the application, you no longer need these files. This would free up some more disk space.
• Since, these are system files, you might be asked to enter the Administrator password for deleting them.

If you any queries regarding these instructions, contact Windows Live support for assistance.

The Foursquare App Released In Windows Store

Windows 8 is now becoming popular not only due to the option called Windows 8 transfer, a feature that allows smooth transfer of data during the upgrade from Windows 7, but also due to the features like Windows Store, an online store quite similar to Google Play where people would find different apps and could download many of them free. Many, including the well-wishers and the critics of Windows 8, had initially thought that Windows Store would not succeed like Google Play in terms of the number of apps available through it. However, within a short span of time since the launch of the service, Windows Store has turned out to be the biggest source of apps.
It seems that Windows Store might outrun Google Play with more and more apps releasing on a daily basis. Of all the new apps on Windows Store, Foursquare, a well-liked social location application has become very popular. Although Foursquare is not a new app for many, especially those who are using other platforms such as Android or iOS, the Windows 8 edition of the application is reported to contain some unique features. According to the developers of the application, the Windows 8 version of Foursquare allows users to look for places in quite an easy manner. In addition to helping the users look for places, the application allows users to discover various services based on locations.

The features in the Windows 8 version of Foursquare

Like the Foursquare app on Android and iOS, the Windows 8 version of the app too will have a modern interface with admirable visual styles. When the app comes in Windows 8 OS, it will be featured with a wide variety of colours. The new tile-based navigation pane, options to view photos in full-screen and few other features of the like offers a delightful experience while using it.
Advantages
Using Foursquare, the users can look for trending places in the current location or a prospective location. They can also look for the different services that might interest them. As the app is updated on a daily basis, the users can locate even the most recently opened shops or places or services. If you want to suggest a particular place or service to your friends, you can do so with ease using the designated options in the application.
Well, you would find a variety of apps of different types at the Windows Store. Also, read the Windows 8 transfer options while visiting the Windows website. This would help you in the file transfer operations between different Windows devices.

Performing A System Restore In Windows Vista

The successor to the Windows XP operating system is the Windows Vista operating system. It contained features and functions that were new and not unavailable in Windows XP. However, sometimes users will get troubled with their Windows Vista operating system, as it may not work properly due to some corruption, virus attacks or even spyware attacks. When problems like these crop up, the ultimate solution users will have is to perform a system restore. The system restore is a procedure that is done to bring the computer back to a previously working state. In order to perform a system restore, users will need to follow the below provided Windows help guidelines.

Instructions

• The Start button that is present in the taskbar has to be clicked. When it is clicked, the Start Menu will pop up. From it, the All Programs option has to be selected.
• The Accessories option has to be clicked next. The System Tools option has to be selected from the menu and then the System Restore option has to be selected from the System Restore menu. The administrator password might be asked and it will have to be entered.
• Now the System Restore menu will appear on the screen and the Restore Your System To An Earlier Date option has to be selected. After selecting the option, the Next button has to be clicked.
• A calendar will appear on the screen, and a date has to be selected. In bold print, the system restore dates that are available will be shown. A date on which the Vista operating system was working properly has to be selected and the Next button has to be clicked.
• You will require confirming the system restoration to that date and the Next button has to be clicked. Now the system restore process will start, the system will shut down and restart, the system restore process will be completed, and a message saying the same will be displayed on the screen.

By following the above-mentioned Windows help guidelines, the Windows Vista operating system restore can be easily done without any hiccups. If users have any doubts on following the process, they can contact the Microsoft help and support website to resolve all their doubts and queries.

Install Vista Ultimate Language Pack On Your Computer

Microsoft allows you to download and install additional languages to your computer using the Windows Update function. If you have Windows Vista Ultimate edition, you can perform this task easily. Windows Vista Ultimate comes with multiple language packs that let users choose between different languages.
Windows Vista language packs are available for computers running on Windows Vista Ultimate edition. These language packs can be installed from the Windows Ultimate Extras section on the Windows Update Web site. A Windows Vista language pack is a set of language-specific resource files that can be added to any language version of Windows Vista Ultimate.
The following Windows Vista Help guidelines will help you install additional language packs in your Vista Ultimate computer.

Instructions

• Turn on your Windows Vista computer and login using your username and password. Make sure that you login to the particular user account where you want to apply the language pack.
• In order to install the language pack, first you need to go to Windows Update. To launch Windows Update, you need to go to the Start menu and type Windows Update in the Search field. This will bring up the list containing the Windows Update application. You will find Windows Update application highlighted at the top of the window under the Programs section. Click on it. 
• This will launch the Windows Update application. Click the option Check for Updates. Windows will now check for available updates. Now click on Show Available Updates, which will show the list of available updates for your Vista computer including Windows Ultimate Language Packs. 
• Choose the language pack that you want to add and click on Install. Before you decide to install the language pack, make sure that you have enough space on your hard drive. Language packs are generally large downloads of approx. 200MB and will require a storage space of almost 1.2GB. The installation time will vary depending on your computer configuration and it usually takes 30 minutes for completing the installation. If any User Account Control (UAC) prompts appear, accept it.
• Apply the Language Pack. Once it is installed, go to the Start menu and select Control Panel. From the Control Panel window, double-click Regional and Language Options to open it. Click on Keyboards and Languages tab and choose the newly installed language from the dropdown list under Choose a display language.

So now you know how to download and install additional language pack in your Vista Ultimate computer. If you want more Windows Vista help, you can contact the Microsoft Help and Support Center.

Enable Mail Forwarding In Microsoft Outlook

How often do you forward emails? Are you tired of forwarding emails every time you are required to? When you have so many emails to forward, doing it manually will really be a tiring and boring task. It is okay when you need to forward just a few messages. All you have to do is type the email address of the recipient in the address field and click the “Forward” option. 

But when you have too many emails to forward and when the mails have to be forwarded as and when you receive them, you can make use of the Automatic Mail Forwarding feature in Outlook to make things easier. Mail forwarding in Outlook is done by setting up a rule. You can either forward all your messages or set specific criteria to forward only certain messages.

Instructions

• Launch Microsoft Outlook on your computer. 
• In order to forward emails to your Gmail account, you need to add your Gmail account to your Outlook Address Book. Go to the File menu at the top of the Outlook window and click on Manage Rules and Alerts. 
• Click on the New Rule button. You can choose a template that you want from the Stay Organized or Stay Up to Date collection of templates. Edit the rule description by clicking an underlined value. For example, if you click the people or public group link, the Address Book opens. Click the Next button.
•  Select the conditions that incoming messages must meet, for the rule to apply.
• Edit the rule description.
• Click the Next button.
• Select the action you would like to take place. In this case, you would want to select Forward. Choose the Gmail address to forward to from your address book. Click the Next button.
• Set up any exceptions to the rule. For example, if you want to exclude messages from a certain person, select Except if from People or Distribution List, Click on the underlined text and select the exempted people from your address book. Click the Next button.
• Give your rule a name and select any of the options that Outlook presents you with.
• Click the Finish button. The messages you have specified would now be forwarded to your Gmail account.

You have now successfully configured Microsoft Outlook to forward emails to your Gmail account from your Outlook Address Book. So no more hassles of forwarding emails manually. Moreover, mail forwarding happens in an orderly and systematic way.